Gustave Auguste Besson

Gustave-Auguste Besson (1820-1874) was a musical instrument manufacturer and innovator. He created the Besson brand in Paris, France, in 1837. Besson is credited with more than 50 original inventions. His alterations to the cornet were particularly notable.

Besson's instruments were revolutionary in their design and quality, and as such became famous across Europe. After a series of lawsuits with Adolphe Sax, Besson left Paris in 1858 and relocated to London. It remained Besson in Great Britain.

Life

Besson was apprenticed at the age of 10 to an instrument maker called Dujariez in Paris. By the age of 18 he had produced and registered a new model cornet which was universally recognised as a great improvement on all previous instruments of its kind. By 1850 Besson had opened a brand of his business in London at the premises of instrument maker John Pask. In 1858, Besson moved to London and transferred the assets of his firm in France to his wife, Florentine Besson. When Besson died in 1874, the business was continued by his widow and their daughters Cécile and Marthe.